All posts by Chris

Molecular Imaging: New Technology to Fight Cancer

Cancer Research
New Molecular Imaging

Once a cancer diagnosis has been made, doctors and patients typically plan a course of treatment. All too often during this period of strategizing, the patient’s quality of life during treatment isn’t taken into account. Radiation and chemotherapy can effectively treat cancer, but they also come with their own list of side effects, some of which can be temporarily debilitating.

A new approach to stage 4 cancer treatment involves molecular imaging. This technology allows doctors to precisely target the most aggressive cancer cells by using a powerful scan that combines a traditional CT with 3-D positron emission tomography (PET). Being able to identify the most dangerous cancer cells allows doctors to perform accurate biopsies and significantly reduce the amount of radiation and chemotherapy treatments needed.

This cutting edge scan can also tell doctors a lot more about how your tumor is behaving. Often times, progress is measured by whether the tumor is shrinking or changing shape. However, this may only be a small part of the picture. Even if your tumor looks the same, the cells may have become less active. Molecular imaging may be able to provide some good news that traditional scans don’t detect.

For those struggling through cancer treatments, a PET scan and molecular imaging may be the solution to enjoying a better quality of life as you fight cancer. Limiting the radiation and chemotherapy treatments will allow you to feel healthier, less stressed and more capable of tackling cancer. If you would like to learn more about the latest in cancer treatments, proven immune boosting techniques and the importance of a positive attitude, be sure to visit the Issels® website today.

What to Do When Cancer Looks Like Something Else

When Cancer Doesn't Look Like Cancer
When Cancer Doesn’t Look Like Cancer

At some point in our lives, we will all have to go to the doctor. Most of these visits may be a routine trip for lacerations, bruises, sprains, breaks and other non-threatening conditions. But, there are times when deeper problems need to be addressed, like heart conditions, migraine headaches and reproductive issues, just to name a few, where the correct diagnosis might be in question.

Misdiagnosis and Cancer

Although not something that commonly occurs, sometimes other ailments or conditions mask cancer detection. Take the case of Samantha Beaven, a British mother of two, who had cancer symptoms mistaken for pregnancy complications. She eventually died because her cancer was misdiagnosed.

Lung cancer can sometimes be misdiagnosed as pneumonia, brain cancer can be masked by migraine headaches, and breast cancer can be mistaken for calcium deposits in the breast. Once again, these misdiagnosis are rare occurrences, but they do happen and this possibility is something you should be aware of whenever you are diagnosed with an important health issue.

CT and PET Scans

If you have any doubt that there is a possibility your condition has been misdiagnosed, insist on getting a CT or a CAT scan that will assist a doctor in determining the real issue behind your health condition. A radioactive tracer PET scan is also an  alternative procedure that can be used alone or in conjunction with a CT scan.

For more information about cancer and its treatment, please go to our site at Issels® Immuno-Oncology. There you’ll find our up-to- date blog about cancer happenings in the world of medicine, and you’ll also find information on cancer vaccines, patient testimonials, statistics and the location of Issels clinics near you.

Leigh University Professor Creates Low-Cost Blood Test for Cancer

Low Cost Blood Tests For Cancer
Low Cost Blood Tests For Cancer

Diagnosing cancer has just gotten easier and more affordable. Dr. Yaling Liu from Leigh University is working on perfecting a simple blood test that will be able to detect a wide range of cancers. The hope is that patients will be able to receive a diagnosis much earlier, which will help them receive necessary treatment well before the disease has taken hold.

The other main benefit of this blood test is that it eliminates the need for more invasive tests. While medical technology and cancer treatment has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, some of the tests are still quite archaic and hard on the patient. If people are experiencing mild symptoms, they may be more apt to get them checked out instead of ignoring them if they know that they can quickly get answers through a simple blood test.

The test uses a chip to detect cells that could potentially be cancerous. At its most basic level, it sorts through the cells in your blood sample and collects any that contain mutations. While it is not a fail-proof method, the initial results will tell patients and doctors whether more testing is needed. The test does not indicate what type of cancer is present. While the chip test has the potential to become a home test, some worry that making it readily available to all patients would cause unnecessary panic.

Scientists are still working on perfecting the test and thinking about the larger implications, but the potential is exciting. Early diagnosis of cancer may now be as simple as getting a blood test. To learn more and pose questions, visit the Issels website today.

An Update on the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Early Cancer Detection
Early Cancer Detection

At Issels®, our goal is providing each cancer patient alternative programs that include personalized treatment to address their needs. These include non-toxic therapies and our non-toxic immunobiologic core treatment for many types of the disease including prostate cancer.

In an article published by UK based, The Telegraph, the question was asked if researchers were making advances in detecting prostate cancer in its early stages as the number of men with prostate cancer was rising significantly. The article stated that from the research findings of Macmillan Cancer Support, the stats show more than 30,000 men living in the UK are in the advanced stages of incurable prostate cancer. Research also indicates that prostate cancer will lead the list as the most common cancer for men by the year 2030.

Along with the rise in diagnosed cases, more men are insisting on in-depth research. To this end, new drugs are currently in development and more research is underway to shed light on the progression and treatment of the disease. Men are also being better educated as to the importance of early detection through self-checks.

According to the CEO of Prostate Cancer UK, Owen Sharp, “A man in the UK dies each hour from prostate cancer and another is diagnosed every 15 minutes…” This is unacceptable on every level and is why more research, more testing options, better drugs, and continued awareness by men of the importance of making an appointment with their doctor, early on, is of the utmost importance.

For more information about our alternative programs regarding prostate cancer, please contact our staff via our toll free numbers for the US, Canada, and international inquiries, or use the online form both at our website.

Colon Cancer: Now a Cancer that Attacks Young People

Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer

Cancer at any age can be devastating and when one type, that was previously associated with only older men and women, is attacking younger people, it adds to the frustration of dealing with this disease. At Issels®, our staff is dedicated to working with and supporting cancer patients of all ages.

Colon cancer is usually associated with men and women ages 50 and over but Andrea Payne, who is not yet 50, was diagnosed with the disease. Following a car accident that left Ms. Payne in a coma for over 35 hours, she began experiencing pain and discomfort in her bowel along with blood in her stool. Doctors told her the symptoms were a result of the pain medicine she was taking.

It took two years and more tests before Ms. Payne was finally diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. Five months later, she was diagnosed with yet another problem, thyroid cancer.

Andrea received the treatment she needed for both cancers and is closing in on her one year anniversary as being cancer free. Through strong support of her friends and family, she is a survivor. Her message to both men and women is to not assume they are too young to be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Doctors recommend colon cancer screenings and while many people choose to ignore or put off testing, Andrea hopes her story will inspire others to not wait until they turn 50, or older, to have the screening that can detect a problem early.

If you’d like more information about our treatments and programs, contact us using the toll free number on our website or use our convenient online form.

Discovery of Six Molecules that Block Cancer

Blocking Cancer
Blocking Cancer

In a recently released paper from the University of Kansas, scientists announced they have isolated six molecules capable of blocking the protein HuR. Known as an “oncoprotein” that attaches itself to RNA, the HuR protein enables tumor growth. These findings could potentially lead to new non-toxic cancer treatments like those used by Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology. Personalized treatment protocols and immunotherapy are proving to be the best route to a cancer cure.

HuR inhibitors

Researchers have been studying HuR cells for many years. The cancer-building protein is found at high levels in practically every type of cancer. These six molecular needles that the University of Kansas scientists have found in the haystack of human molecules are considered a significant breakthrough in halting cancer stem cells, which are considered the seeds of cancer. According to Liang Xu, associate professor of molecular biosciences and one of the authors of the paper, there were no known HuR inhibitors prior to this discovery.

Potential for a wide array cancer treatments

Xu goes on to say that because HuR has a significant role in so many different types of cancer, the discovery of these proteins holds promise for new cancer drugs in the fight against cancers that attack all areas of the body. HuR and other RNA-binding proteins have been considered untreatable until now. This study, published in ACS Chemical Biology, provides proof of the concept that a new class of cancer drugs can be developed specifically for cancer stem cells.

The treatments used at Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology are the result of decades of research and scientific breakthroughs. Contact us to learn more and sign up for our free e-News-letter.